Flexible modelling of neuron firing rates across different experimental conditions: an application to neural activity in the prefrontal cortex during a discrimination task

In many electrophysiological experiments the main objectives include estimation of the firing rate of a single neuron, as well as a comparison of its temporal evolution across different experimental conditions. To accomplish these two goals, we propose a flexible approach based on the logistic generalized additive model including condition-by-time interactions. If an interaction of this type is detected in the model, we then establish that the use of the temporal odds ratio curves is very useful in discriminating between the conditions under which the firing probability is higher. Bootstrap techniques are used for testing for interactions and constructing pointwise confidence bands for the true odds ratio curves. Finally, we apply the new methodology to assessing relationships between neural response and decision-making in movement-selective neurons in the prefrontal cortex of behaving monkeys. Copyright 2006 Royal Statistical Society.